Tharaka Nithi county Woman Representative Ms. Susan Ngugi has given a total of Sh 238,000 from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to Self-Help groups to help them foster self- empowering projects.
The Woman Rep released the cheques to two self- help groups from Karingani ward in the county while disclosing that a third group will receive their cheque once they meet the 15-membership threshold.
Speaking while releasing the cheques at Chuka Picnic grounds, the Woman Rep revealed that the cheques are for funding projects whose proposals were presented in her office by the Self-Help groups.
The two groups were Bidii Yetu self-help group which was founded in 2013 and received Sh 120,000 and Bidii Women self-help group that received Sh 118,000.
Divers self-help group cheque was not presented to them because the attendants were only three members. However, the women rep said the group will receive their cheque on Friday June 9, 2023 after the group has registered a minimum of 15 members.
The representatives of the groups hailed the women rep for the great support and the uwezo funds she has been giving them that have helped them to grow economically.
The three groups with the help of the county MP have started poultry projects, pig rearing projects, yogurt production, and cow keeping which are now a source of great income to their members.
NGAAF coordinator Chuka Igambang’ombe constituency Aaron Njue, congratulated the women for creating those self-help groups and urged them to add more members in the groups so that they may get more funds to foster their projects.
The Sh 118,000 to the Bidii women self-help group is for the purchase of a milk ATM which will enable them to create yogurt and distribute milk, while Bidii yetu, on the other hand are expected to use their Sh 120,000 for purchasing maize meal or a porridge flour mill.
Speaking to the media after the event, Ngugi who was the MCA for Marimanti ward until the last general elections said she was very delighted to serve and that she will serve all the wards across the county without discrimination.
“I will serve all wards without leaving any group out and will ensure that the registered groups do not have ghost members because I will be sending my team to verify,” she said.
She further emphasised that those who receive the NGAAF funds must utilise them for the projects they have indicated in their proposal to avoid incompetency, and in case of change there should be a formal meeting with minutes indicating changes.
“The government gives very little for the NGAAF fund which I cannot sit back and watch while it is misappropriated,” the Woman Rep said.
By David Mutwiri and Emmanuel Mwangi
